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Mattingly mulling changes to jump-start lineup

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By Ken Gurnick
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MLB.com |

SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said the club's sputtering offense has him considering shuffling the batting order.

"I always think about it," he said. "I really want the guys up front getting on base, and that's happening. Adrian's [Gonzalez] hitting well and Andre [Ethier] has it going on. Matt [Kemp] in the middle is kind of scuffling."

Carl Crawford at leadoff is batting .458, Mark Ellis hitting second is at .348, Gonzalez is batting .435 and Ethier is hitting .318. But Kemp is at .120 with two RBIs, one on a sacrifice fly.

"I really don't want to mess with the guys in the middle," Mattingly said. "I could mess around with three and four [Kemp and Gonzalez], flip-flop back and forth, but I don't like to do that. I've thought a little more with guys like Cruzer [Luis Cruz, 0-for-17] and those guys."

Mattingly said he read Kemp's quotes of frustration after Tuesday's game.

"He's had games where he's not so good and games when a few of his at-bats are good. He's been in and out," said Mattingly. "I know he's pressing. It's natural he wants to do his thing."

Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.